The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Paternal Family Tree: Edwardes of Kensington
On 12th October 1833 [his father] William Edwardes 3rd Baron Kensington (age 32) and [his mother] Laura Jane Ellison (age 22) were married.
On 11th May 1835 William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington was born to [his father] William Edwardes 3rd Baron Kensington (age 34) and [his mother] Laura Jane Ellison (age 24).
On 26th February 1846 [his mother] Laura Jane Ellison (age 34) died.
On 10th August 1852 [his grandfather] William Edwardes 2nd Baron Kensington (age 75) died. His son [his father] William (age 51) succeeded 3rd Baron Kensington.
On 19th September 1867 William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington (age 32) and Grace Elizabeth Johnstone-Douglas Baroness Kensington were married.
On 25th July 1868 [his son] William Edwardes 5th and 2nd Baron Kensington was born to William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington (age 33).
On 7th July 1869 [his daughter] Gwendoline Edwardes was born to William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington (age 34) and [his wife] Grace Elizabeth Johnstone-Douglas Baroness Kensington. She married 27th April 1899 her second cousin once removed Captain William Stirling-Home-Drummond-Moray.
On 1st January 1872 [his father] William Edwardes 3rd Baron Kensington (age 70) died. His son William (age 36) succeeded 4th Baron Kensington. [his wife] Grace Elizabeth Johnstone-Douglas Baroness Kensington by marriage Baroness Kensington.
On 3rd September 1873 [his son] Hugh Edwardes 6th and 3rd Baron Kensington was born to William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington (age 38).
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 19th May 1877 [his son] Major George Henry Edwardes was born to William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington (age 42) and [his wife] Grace Elizabeth Johnstone-Douglas Baroness Kensington. He married 28th April 1903 Olive Kerr.
On 23rd March 1886 William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington (age 50) was created 1st Baron Kensington of Middlesex.
The London Gazette 26321. St. James's Palace, August 25, 1892.
The Queen (age 73) has been pleased to make the following appointments in Her Majesty's Household:-
Charles Robert, Lord Carrington (age 49), G.C.M.G., to be Lord Chamberlain of Her Majesty's Household, in the room of Edward, Earl of Lathom (age 54), G.C.B., resigned.
The Honourable Charles Robert Spencer (age 34), M.P., to be Vice Chamberlain of Her Majesty's Household, in the room of Henry George, Lord Burghley (age 42), M.P., resigned.
George William Henry, Lord Vernon (age 38), to be Captain of Her Majesty's Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, in the room of Charles Alfred Worsley, Earl of Yarborough (age 33), resigned.
William, Lord Kensington (age 57), to be Captain of Her Majesty's Guard of Yeoman of the Guard, in the room of William, Earl of Limerick (age 52), K.P., resigned.
On 7th October 1896 William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington (age 61) died. His son William (age 28) succeeded 5th Baron Kensington, 2nd Baron Kensington of Middlesex.
On 19th January 1910 [his former wife] Grace Elizabeth Johnstone-Douglas Baroness Kensington died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 20 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 26 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 20 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 27 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Owen Edwardes
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Edwardes
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Edwardes 1st Baron Kensington 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Rich 5th Earl Warwick 2nd Earl Holland 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Cope Countess Holland 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Rich 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 2nd Earl Manchester 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Montagu Countess Warwick and Holland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Rich Viscountess Mandeville 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: William Edwardes 2nd Baron Kensington 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Warren Baroness Kensington
Father: William Edwardes 3rd Baron Kensington 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Thomas
GrandMother: Dorothy Patricia Thomas Baroness Kensington
William Edwardes 4th and 1st Baron Kensington 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Cuthbert Ellison of Hebburn Hall in County Durham
Mother: Laura Jane Ellison